How loud are they really..

[adubsroit]

I have been really interested in call ducks for a while, but have been told that the females are especially loud. Right now I have four guineas that make me want to pull my hair out at times (I am an at home college student). Compared to guineas, how loud are call ducks really?? Are there any videos online with a good representation of their voices?? I YouTubed earlier to no avail, just tons of calls that made me want them more.

 

[Kansaseq]

Can't speak for call ducks, but my Saxonies and Welsh Harlequin hens can get pretty loud (and I've heard that calls are louder). They don't quack all of the time, but when they do, you hear it

 

[CityChicker]

I think it is *highly* individual. Mine are not loud at all. I thought for the longest time maybe it was just because I had utility quality Calls for the most part, but I have added several high quality Calls over the last year to year and half. None of them are loud. Maybe I am just too accustomed to bird noise to notice. I have a couple Call hens that are a little vocal, but certainly nothing that warrants warnings about how loud they are.

What I really tend to think is that loudness is just a trait hat hasn't been selected for in Calls in many generations. That is pretty typical for other breeds as well. People start breeding them for appearance and forget their original utility. It just is what it is. People don't use them for hunting anymore (very often anyway) so, it has just not necessarily been an important trait to preserve. I don't think I have ever heard ANY Call breeder say they can't use a hen for breeding because she is not loud enough, LOL. That is what I mean. It is just not a trait that people select for anymore, hence they are probably not as loud as they used to be.

 

[duckluck]

It really does depend on the Call. I have two gray females who can quack LOUD and nonstop for at least a whole minute at a time, and seemingly on the same breath! I also have two females here who one makes a muffled quack and the other makes something between a deep quack and a honk. I'd say if you absolutely want a quiet bird, go with a male or group of males. Though Guineas are louder than any Call I've ever heard!

 

[easttxchick]

Quote:
Absolutely true! My neighbors have a roaming band of guineas that, when they get going, there is no way my Calls could even hope to be heard over them.
Mine aren't really all that loud and don't quack as much as you would think. Maybe I'm just immune to it, but I enjoy hearing my little girls quack.
If you have guineas, disturbing the neighbors obviously isn't an issue-get those Calls-you know you want too!

 

[LIL ROO]

I have Chocolate Runner Ducks and...Well they are loud. When they want out in the morning they call out, When I flash the light on the duck house at night to check on all they call out. They are a very social bird for sure. We also breed black indies and although they can be loud they don't quack as often as our runners do.

 

[Caprice_Acres]

I have guineas, welsh harlequin ducks, and geese. I'm serenaded by them every morning, fussing over stuff while they're free ranging. The ducks are MUCH quieter than the guineas and geese. I only have 3 hens and 2 drake Welsh Harlequins. I must say I LOVE the noises the drakes make, it's such a pretty noise.

 

[babylady4]

We have 8 calls and can hear them a block or so away when they start ther thing. Our quack EVER time somebody walks out the back door, or if they hear us talking in the house!

Our little drakes are the quiet ones, my DH says we need 8 drakes........

 

[chickensioux]

I have several female calls, some are quiet but 3 are so loud it drives me insane. They are young (born this spring) and I am hoping they mature and stop. Some of my older girls do not do this any longer. I have one girl, born this spring, that almost never shuts up. I have considered rehoming her because of it. I will probably try to get her thru this first year and see if she stops this spring. She is very persistant and annoying. She is one of 2 that were my first to hatch, so there is a special attachment but......

 

[chickensioux]

Quote:
How old are yours? I am hoping mine will stop this with age. Mine do the same thing.